Having worked in the high-pressure accounting field for years, interior designer Pamela Kofsky of Elegant Interior Designs in Ambler, Pa., knows a thing or two about delivering results on a tight deadline. Therefore she was game to take on a master bath renovation that began two days after the clients – a young married couple expecting their first child within 30 days after closing – purchased their home.

After effectively handling a relocation one month prior to welcoming their newborn, the clients wanted to be certain before the bath renovation began that there would be no surprises and no changes to the budget. Before their baby arrived, the homeowners armed with the clients’ list of must-haves plus their wish list, Kofsky partnered with Tom Hawks, owner and contractor of Total Home Solution in Norristown, Pa., to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The checklist was daunting: his and her sinks, a vanity tower and sitting area for hairstyling and make-up application, pocket shelves, a toiletry shelf, a larger shower with multiple shower heads, a soaking tub, and a separate room for the commode.

A small and very basic shower and closet made the existing master bath uninspiring.

Fortunately, there was a guest room on the other side of the existing bathroom that could sacrifice the necessary space to make the homeowners’ dreams a reality. “To meet the request of storage in the vanity, I used two tower storage cabinets and a set of drawers [to form] his and her sides,” Kofsky explains, adding, “The success of a bathroom can be found in the details. Selecting the tile, stone, wall color, and vanity pattern created the foundation for the space.” Distinctive details can also be found in the choice of hardware, vanity top, mirror design, and the lighting fixture purchased from Bright Light Design Center in nearby King of Prussia. The addition of an ottoman and complementary rugs complete the warm ambiance.

By borrowing space from an adjacent room, Kofsky was able to accommodate the clients’ wish for a soaking tub (where none had existed) and an expanded, more elegant shower.

At the same time, neutral colors tie the former bath space and the newly expanded area together, while the decorative tile backsplash and the use of Listello tile borders in the shower lend elegance. These warm earthy tones are accented with contrasting blues in the artwork as well as the pocket shelf accessories. Furthermore, the white cabinets and plumbing fixtures in Chrome and Brushed Nickel finishes are offset by the natural warm vanilla, beige, and brown hues in the granite countertop and the shower seat. Above the soaking tub, a window brings ample natural light into the room; custom roman shades provide privacy when bathing.

The creation of a double sink, wide mirror, and his-and-her drawers allow two people to perform grooming tasks at the same time.

Kofsky not only delivered a sophisticated bathroom design that met all of her clients’ “must-haves,” but she was also able to accommodate their “wish list” ? while staying within budget and right on time.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named Elegant Interior Designs as the 2014 Northeast Regional Winner for its annual Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards in the Residential Bathroom $30,000-$60,000 category. The awards are bestowed on NARI members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects.

“I am so thrilled to be recognized by such an elite organization,” Kofsky says. “The prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) award is an honor to win. It is an excellent way to share with clients the impact an interior designer can have on any space in your home.” Founded by Kofsky, Elegant Interior Designs specializes in commercial and residential design, color consultation, space planning, window treatment design, and home staging.

What Are the CotY Awards?

As of press time, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named its 2014 Regional CotY™ (Contractor of the Year) winners. The seven Regional CotY winners advance to the national level as Finalists, with the ultimate winners announced on March 28 during NARI’s Evening of Excellence reception in New Orleans.

All of the projects submitted to the CotY awards program must be an improvement or an addition to an existing structure, with the exception of one category: “Residential Exterior Specialty.” Otherwise, new construction was not eligible. The CotY Awards also recognize projects with universal design and green elements through the Universal Design Project Recognition Program and Green Project Recognition Program.

Competing projects had to have been completed by a NARI member between July 1, 2012, and November 30, 2013, and not submitted in previous NARI National contests. A panel of judges who are experts within the remodeling industry and associated fields, selected winners based on each entrant’s binders, which include “before and after” photography and project descriptions. Judging focused on problem-solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, and degree of difficulty.

The entries of this year’s competition totaled more than $72 million worth of remodeling projects. The complete list of 2014 Regional CotY Award Winners is available on NARI’s Web site.